Cam actuated switch



Nov. 1, 1949 T. HETMAN CAM ACTUATED SWITCH Filed May 29, 194'? gir Inventor Theodore Hefman Patented Nov. 1, 1949 S EN F Pfl-CE y CAM-ACTUATED SWITCH Theodore-Eemian, Los Angeles, Calif.'

Application May- 29, 1947;' Serial '-No:751,'235

(CL 20o-163) 10 Glaims.y

Tli'is :invention apper-tains atoy `:novel land" useful improvements in switchessparticularly" adapted for use in automotive vehicles for theepurposey of making and'breakingsthe fusual '-eleetrical'circuit, when so 'i desired."

Another object "of this vvinvention is izo-provide avpair `of v'1:elrescopically adiustablesleve members having cam means therei-nwfo'r selectively lifting andllowering'a rodi` Another'object or thisfinvention" is to provide contact `means Within a selected l'sleeve for engagement with the lower portion* of "the-saiderodf.'

A further object "of 'thisinvention is to provide means for electrically insu'latingtliesaid contact from `the saidsleeve.

A` still" further' object offthis.. inventiony is to provide means for resiliently; biasing the saidselected sleeve relative to the anchoring means for saidrod."

Another purposeof ,the present .invention is to provide means for resilientlyv4 biasing a cover plate against. the .said selective sleeve, torina-purpose of covering a.. guide vslot therein.;A

AnotherA purpose of .the present inventonis. .to provide improved.' actuating means..` for f turning. and reciprocating tbesaid .telescopicallytadjustae ble sleeve members...V

Another purpose .of .this invention -is toprovide an. improved: 1 and practical ...and .i inexpensive -de. viceV of. thenature. described.. Which-is commerciallylieasible andWhictMurtber; lends itself well to comercial mamlt'actureffy and.; common.- shop practices.

Ancillary objects anclfeatures .of .noveltyshall become4 apparent -.tot those skilled ,-.in 1the art.: in following the description ofthe preierredem; bodiment of `the presentinvention, illustrated `in the accompanying: drawingmwherein:

Figure 1 a perspective .view fof .thepreferred form oi the presentinvention showing the same used in the preferred environment;

Figure 2 is `a longitudinalsectional. view of .the invention disclosedin .Figure 1,1 with .parts being shown. -.elevation..to..illustrata-details of con.- struction;

Figure 3 is `atransversesectional viexvof the invention disclosed in Figure. 2; and taken sube stantiallv on `the .linev e-thereof-and: in the di rection of thearrow;

Figure 4 is aperspective. vievv` of :a :camutilized in. the present invention; i

Figure 5 is. a perspective View.y of the anchoringl means forminga part .of the present invention;

Figure I6y is. aviront elevational,.view.r.-of ae tube 2., used in coniunction .With theaactuation14 of the presenti invention;

Figure '7` iseaperspective eviewfofythe. plate uti lizedzliir covering ther-guide slotA forming part of the? present iiinventiong. and;`

Figure 8: is ia;perspectivefviewY lof all`v cam; ,come plementali-o` the above mentioned cam .which for-ms part 'off the .present invention;

Referring nowainzdetail to theillustrated pres ferred embodiment 'of rthe present -invention,.1il`e reference'. 1characters;are .usedthroughout to indicate similar elementsthereof.

This invention has been conceived: and 'developed to provide a. ydevice-for.makingt'and :breaking the electrical vcircuit conventional. .in automotive vehicles .and the like. Obviously, the utility'A of thepresent invention eliminates fire hazards, dis: charge of batteryduetoshort circuits or grounds and providesian-'easymeans to disconnectorren-l der inoperative the conventional battery in order towork onor remove'portions or elementsof a vehicle employed in the usualfelectrical system;

Arst sleeve |0.is` provided with a shaft I2extendingth'erefrom. 'Ihe said shaft |21 may be ysuitably secured to the said sleeve l0 by'any-conventional means such as welding,- brazing, screwthread-ing or the like. A lug `Illiis secured to the said shaft l l Zextendingtherefrom. A vdetachable handlel actuatingfmeans is'provided for engagement with the said shaft l2. This handle means is composedof-` a1 tube I6 having a'slotfllilextend-` ing'-longitudinallyfthereof with an enlargement ZUReXtending from `said, slot.` Thisv enlargement is utilized in'receiving the said lug M therein, tune; tioning asia bayonet-latch. An actuating rod 22 extendsrthrough a suitable aperture 23 adjacent thefupper portion `.of the said tube 61' and is uti lizediin supplying leverage. Means for resilient biasing the said tube I6"longtudinally of said shaft I 2 is immediately ascertainable from an inspection of Figure 2;. This resilient biasing means consists-'oa conventional coil spring 24 seated onv` azsuitabl'e Ishoulder 2li,i said shoulder beingpreferably `integral with the shaft 12.1 Itis noted.v however thatthe said shoulder 2E. may be attached by any conventional means if. so desired. inforder vto4 facilitate manufacture. The-said resilientfi spring- 24:'seats on-the shoulder 2611 and also.:I engages the. lower extremity ofithe said tube: I6?

Af second-'i sleeve 28 `is telescopicallyreceived withinvthebore of' the saidfirst sleeve. lli It will .befrioted thatY the internal ,portion ot ihezsaid second: zsl'eevef 28 .iswscreW-threadedf andiacam. 30 detachably securedithereinn ItA may .bemioted 3 at this point that an annular groove is provided within the bore of the said sleeve l0, adjacent the lower extremity thereof. Positioned in the said groove is a sealing means, conventional in lmaterial, and is designated by the numeral 32.

A second cam, complemental to the said cam 38 is seen at 34 and has an aperture 36 in the side thereof. Means for securing this second cam 34 within the said sleeve I is provided. This means consists preferably of a simple bolt 38 extending through a suitable aperture (unnumbered) in the said sleeve I IJ. Of course, the bolt also extends within the threaded aperture 36 of the said cam 34.

A rod 40 extends through central apertures 42 and 43 respectively which are received in the said cams 34 and 30. This rod 40 may be in the form of a conventional bolt having the usual head 46 thereon. It will be seen from an inspection of Figure 2 that the said head 46 forms a stop u and is engaged by a washer 48 which is in turn seated on the upper portion of the said cam 34. The stop engaging the washer 48 thus reacting on the upper cam 34, limits the longitudinal movement of said bolt with respect to said cams or cam members. The lower portion of the said bolt 40 is externally threaded as is conventional, and an anchoring means is secured thereto. This anchoring means is preferably a lug in the form of an eye bolt 58 having a threaded shank 52 extending therefrom. The said bolt 4|] is threadingly received in the associated aperture in the said eye bolt and the shank 52 extends through a suitable slot 54 provided in the wall of the said sleeve 28. This slot 54 serves the purpose of limiting means in that it restricts the travel of the said sleeve 28 to motion parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof. A bearing block 56 is received on the bolt 40 and positioned above the said eye bolt 50.

Means for resiliently biasing the sleeve 28 relative to the eye bolt 56 or anchoring means is provided. This resilient biasing means consists of a relatively heavy coil spring 58 which is seated on the said bearing block 56 and which abuts the lower portion of the said cam 36. A plate 62 having a central aperture 64 therein is provided on the shank of the said eye bolt 50. This plate serves the purpose of a baille for preventing ne matter from entering the switch. Means for resiliently biasing the said plate 62 against the sleeve 28 is provided. This means consists of the usual, conventional coil spring 64 engaging the said plate 62 and also engaging an adjustable anchor nut 66, rotatably and threadingly received on the shaft or shank 52. As is seen in Figure 1, the nut 66 is preferably engaged against a suitable automotive element 68 while the resilient biasing means engages the opposite face of said element 68.

A contact is provided in the lower portion of the said sleeve 28 and is preferably in the form of a bolt, conventional in nature. The said bolt is provided with a head 'l0 which serves the purpose of a contact, selectively engageable with the lower portion of the said eye bolt 50. The lower portion of the said bolt is conventionally threaded as at 'l2 for the purpose of receiving a nut 14 thereon, the threads 'l2 and nut 14 cooperating to form means for adjusting the head longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 28. Interposed between the head 10 and the said nut 'I4 is a plurality of elements. These elements are as follows: An insulating bushing '16, preferably of synthetic rubber or the 4 like, is seated within the said sleeve 28. It will be seen that the lower portion of the said sleeve 28 may be encurved to provide a shoulder 18 to assist in retaining the bushing 16 therein. A second resilient, insulating member is placed exterior of said shoulder 18 while a disc or washer 82 is placed over said insulating member 8D. The said nut 14 engages the said disc 82 thereby holding the assembly in an operative, fixed position.

In actuation of the invention, the 'handle 22 is rotated thereby turning the sleeve I0. This in turn rotates the cam 34 which abuts the complemental cam 3D. Of course, the effective length of the rod 40 is then shortened. Since the rod 4l) is relatively stationary due to the anchoring means 58, the sleeves ID and 28 will be selectively extended or lowered, the limiting means or slot 54 controlling the direction of motion. It is quite apparent that upon a certain selected operation of the invention contact will be made between the member 50 and contact 18. Also, the contacts will be disengaged upon other selected positions of operation.

While there has been described and illustrated but a single preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, limitation is sought only in accordance with the scope of the following claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A switch comprising a first sleeve having a shaft extending therefrom, a second sleeve in the bore of said first sleeve, cam means secured to said rst sleeve and complemental cam means secured to said second sleeve, a rod extending through both of said cam means, means for rotating said l)rst sleeve to reciprocate said second sleeve, means for anchoring said rod and including a rst contact, a second contact disposed in said second sleeve engaged by said first contact, means for resiliently biasing said second sleeve relative to said anchor means, means for insulating said second contact from said second sleeve, said first sleeve rotating means including a tube having a slot detachably received on said shaft longitudinally thereof, a lug secured to said shaft engageable with said slot and means for resiliently urging said tube in selected operative positions.

2. A switch comprising a rst sleeve having a shaft extending therefrom, a second sleeve in the bore of said first sleeve, cam means secured to said rst sleeve and complemental cam means secured to said second sleeve, a, rod extending through both of said cam means, means for rotating said rstsleeve toreciprocatesaid second sleeve, means for anchoring said rod including a first contact, a second contact disposed in said second sleeve and engaged by said rst contact, means for resiliently biasing said second sleeve relative to said anchor means, means for insulating said second contact from said second sleeve, a slot in said second sleeve, said anchor means comprising a bolt extending through said slot, a plate on said bolt engaging said second sleeve and covering said slot and means for resiliently urging said plate against said second sleeve.

3. In a switch construction, a sleeve having a shaft extending therefrom. an extension detachably secured to said shaft, means disposed on said shaft for resiliently biasing said extension with respect to said sleeve, a second sleeve in the bore of said sleeve, a cam secured within the bore of said first-mentioned sleeve, a second cam secured within the bore of said second sleeve and engaging said first cam, a rod extending through said cams, a slot in said second sleeve having an eye-bolt extending therethrough, said eye-bolt lockingly engaging one end of said rod, means seated on said eye-bolt and reacting on said second cam for normally biasing the sleeves telescopically relative to each other, means secured to the opposite end of said rod and engaging said first cam limiting the longitudinal movement of said rod through said cams, means for covering a portion of said slot, a contact secured to said second sleeve for engagement with said eye-bolt which forms a second contact, upon telescopic movement of said sleeves.

4. In a switch construction, a sleeve having a shaft extending therefrom, an extension detachably secured to said shaft, means disposed on said shaft for resiliently biasing said extension with respect to said sleeve, a second sleeve in the bore of said sleeve, a cam secured within the bore of said first-mentioned sleeve, a second cam secured within the bore of said second sleeve and engaging said first cam, a rod extending through said cams, a slot in said second sleeve having an eye-bolt extending therethrough, said eye-bolt lockingly engaging one end of said rod, means seated on said eye-bolt and reacting on said second cam for normally biasing the sleeves telescopically relative to each other, means forming a stop secured to the opposite end of said rod engaging said first cam to limit the longitudinal movement of said rod with respect to said rst cam, means for covering a portion of said slot, a contact secured to said second sleeve for engagement With said eye-bolt which forms a second contact, upon telescopic movement of said sleeves, said slot covering means comprising a plate seated on said eye-bolt, means reacting on said eye-bolt and engaging said plate for normally biasing said plate against the outer surface of said second sleeve, and means for adjusting the last-mentioned biasing means.

5. The combination of claim 4, and said biasing means adjusting means comprising a threaded element received on said eye-bolt.

6. lThe combination of claim 4, an insulating element disposed in the lower portion of said second sleeve for preventing direct Contact of the contact with the material of the sleeve, and

means for adjusting said contact in said sleeve parallel to the longitudinal axis of said sleeve.

'7. The combination of claim 4, an insulating element disposed in the lower portion of said second sleeve for preventing direct contact of the contact with the material of the sleeve, and means for adjusting said contact in said sleeve parallel to the longitudinal axis of said sleeve comprising a threaded shank secured to said contact, a threaded element disposed on said threaded shank reacting on the lower portion of said second sleeve.

8. A switch comprising a rst sleeve having a shaft extending therefrom, an extension detachably secured to said shaft, and resilient means reacting on said extension and said shaft for constantly biasing said extension longitudinally with respect to said shaft, a second sleeve in the bore of said first sleeve, an upper cam secured to said first sleeve and a lower cam secured to said second sleeve, a rod extending through said cams and having means at one end engaging the upper cam limiting longitudinal movement of said rod in one direction with respect to said upper cam, means for anchoring said rod at the end opposite said upper cam, a

spring reacting on said last mentioned means and engaging said lower cam, a contact in said second sleeve engaged by said rod anchoring 5 means which form a second contact, when said cams are moved relative to each other.

9. .A switch comprising a first sleeve having a shaft extending therefrom, an extension detachably secured to said shaft and means for biasing said extension longitudinally with respect to said shaft, a second sleeve extensibly connected with said rst sleeve, a first cam secured to said rst sleeve and a second cam secured to said second sleeve, a rod extending through said cams and having a head at one end engaging said first cam to limit longitudinal movement of said rod in one direction with respect to said first cam, a bolt secured to said rod for anchoring the opposite end of said rod, a contact disposed in said second sleeve and engaged by said bolt, which forms a second contact, means for resiliently biasing said second sleeve relative to said anchor means, means for insulating said first mentioned contact from said sleeves, said second sleeve having a slot, said bolt extending through said slot, a plate engaging said second sleeve and overlying said slot, and means engaging said plate and reacting on said bolt for normally biasing said plate against said second sleeve.

10. In a switch assembly, a rst sleeve having a bore with an open end, a second sleeve slidably disposed in said bore and passed through said open end, a shaft secured to the end of said first sleeve opposite said open end, an extension, means releasably fastening said extension to said shaft, an upper cam member secured to said rst sleeve and disposed in said bore, a lower cam member secured to said second sleeve and contacting said upper cam member, said cam `members being so shaped that relative rotation of said cam members causes relative longitudinal movement of said sleeves, a rod disposed in said second sleeve and having a stop secured therel to engaging said upper cam member limiting longitudinal movement in one direction of said rod with respect to said upper cam member, said second sleeve having a lateral opening, an anchor member passed through said lateral opening and secured to said rod, a spring reacting on said anchor member and said second sleeve constantly urging said second sleeve in such direction as to pull said stop against said upper cam member, said anchor member forming a first contact, a second contact secured to said second sleeve and engageable with said first contact when said second sleeve is moved inwardly in said bore.

THEODORE HEIMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,538,535 Welling May 19, 1925 1,911,739 Bangtson May 30, 1933 2,061,460 Freysinger et al. Nov. 17, 1936 2,375,416 Huber May 8, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 346,861 Great Britain Apr. 23, 1931 

